I talked to a friend the other day, she is also a fellow kitten rescuer. Her batting average is higher than mine and I was asking her what I am doing wrong that these cats aren’t making it recently. Never in all the years of rescue have I run across so many ill or damaged kittens and cats. She told me that she rescues with the support of a non-profit group of people. They go to the shelters and pick the healthy kittens to adopt out. The ones with the sniffles, eye discharges etc.. they are left behind. They also rarely take black kittens from the shelters going more towards other colored kittens as they are easy to adopt out.
She said “Mary Anne, you don’t have that option. You get in the hard cases, the ones who should already be gone and what you do, to the best of your ability you do a great job.”
I know she isn’t blowing snow up my skirt. She has always been straight with me about anything I have asked.
I think, when you rescue if you don’t ask those probing questions from time to time, you shouldn’t rescue. Because then you either get an over-inflated ego, you become complacent or you burn out.
I chose several years ago not to involve myself with any of the local rescues. I didn’t like their politics. I struck out on my own and yes I get stalled from time to time, but like my friend said- don’t think of the ones you lost, think of the ones that went on to live.
It’s a good thing I had this period of self-discovery because yesterday four more kittens arrived. I believe them to be about 7 weeks old. All boys, two black and two adorable cow kitties. They are part of this bunch here.
It’s true that many rescue groups seem to accept charge of cats that are easy to help. Other groups go for the hard cases. You’re an individual who does the same thing. You help the cats few others want to help, yet they are the ones who most need assistance. Shelter-animals that are healthy and alert and friendly have the better chance of finding permanent homes. The sickly, shy, depressed ones stay abandoned – but not by you and people like you. Well done.
I’ve always admired the way you have taken the cats as they come and I’ve tried to emulate your actions. We have no idea what’s coming tomorrow or next week, we face the challenge and turn no one away. That means that we will have our hearts broken more often than those who pick and choose only the cats most likely to succeed…
I don’t know how long we can continue to rescue — like you, my resources are limited — but we’ll do it as long as we can, because it just is not in us to turn our backs on suffering animals.
Bellen is right, and your friend you mention in the post is right. Many rescue groups take the easier cats to adopt. Think about if we all did that? Many many wonderful cats (and dogs) would be destroyed just because they are the wrong color, or a bit sickly, or just a bit too old and past the cute kitten stage.
You do what most people don’t and see beyond the glamorous, the easy and take on the hard cases. Many of my cats are “hard cases” because I either choose to adopt them that way or they came to me that way.
You live what others turn their backs on. Don’t doubt that you are an angel from heaven sent to earth… because you are.
Would you guys mind centering Chandler in your prayers tonight- just like his brother, he is now throwing up and refusing food. I will find out tomorrow what the rough necropsy shows (the vet thinks it is congenital and if that is the case, it is highly likely Chandler has the same thing. 🙁
On a better note, Delilah has rebounded from her stroke with only a small twitch on her left hand side of her face. She is comforting chandler as I type this.
So sorry to hear about Em. Purrrrring that Chandler and Delilah recovers soonest.
There is no shame in doubt, just remember faith and love wins the day. You obviously have been given a wonderful purpose, albeit one with heartache, and you are willing to walk a path few others will. You and your kittens/cats are held up in many prayers.